PGA Pro’s LET event hailed a major success

Some of the biggest names in women’s professional golf have heaped praise on a ground-breaking event that teams amateur golfers with stars of the Ladies European Tour.

The Thorpeness LET (Ladies European Tour) Pro-Am took place earlier this month at Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club, Suffolk, and attracted a field made up of Solheim Cup players, a Senior Major Champion and a number of the brightest young talents in the women’s professional game.

The innovative tournament, now in its second year, was established by Christine Langford, Head Professional at Thorpeness, a founder member of the LET and Honorary Life Member of the PGA.

Trish Johnson, an 18-time winner on the Ladies European Tour and veteran of eight Solheim Cups, was the biggest name in the 66-strong field and was complimentary about both the course and venue after setting a new event course-record of 71 on the first day.

“Thorpeness is a great test of golf, and, on some holes a much tougher test than our LET tournament venue courses. It’s always a pleasure to play with the members and guests here, we are all made to feel so welcome,” said Johnson.

The LET Pro-Am attracted 14 teams made up of 52 amateurs from 18 different clubs, all of which were paired with a LET professional for both days of the tournament.

The team event was won by Liz Bielby, Liz Wainright and Deborah Harding of Gog Magog Golf Club, Cambridgeshire, playing with professionals Charlotte Thompson and Sophie Walker.

The winning 36-hole stableford score of 175 (best two scores per hole), was three better than Aldeburgh Golf Club’s Penny Gaunt, Louise Morse and Iona McKean and four ahead of a Thorpeness Team led by club president Richard Newton.

Liz Bielby, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed playing the LET Pro-Am. It was a joy to see how well the players from the LET played the Thorpeness course and a pleasure to play alongside them, we will be back to defend our title next year.”

Among the amateurs in the field was TV and radio broadcaster Georgie Bingham, presenter of talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast and a Suffolk resident.

Bingham played with former Solheim Cup player Becky Brewerton and LET professional Kiran Matharu over the two days.

“I had a great couple of days, this is a terrific event and the players were such fun to be around,” said Bingham.

This year’s tournament saw teams travel from Jersey and Desert Springs in Spain alongside strong support Thorpeness, Aldeburgh and other Suffolk golf clubs.

Organiser Christine Langford is already making plans for the 2019 Thorpeness LET Pro-Am.

“I’m proud to be a founder member of the LET. Today’s players are a real credit to the game and deserve far more playing opportunities than they currently have. I’d like to thank all of the amateurs and professionals who supported our event again this year.”